sorriness

English

Etymology

From Middle English sorinesse, from Old English sāriġness, from Proto-West Germanic *sairaganassī, *sairīganassī; equivalent to sorry +‎ -ness. Cognate with West Frisian searigens (“soreness, tenderness”).

Noun

sorriness (uncountable)

  1. The state or quality of being sorry; regret.
  2. Worthlessness; wretchedness.
    • 1967, Shields McIlwaine, The Southern Poor-white from Lubberland to Tobacco Road:
      His friend, Mr. Smith, thought that "a sorry farmer on a sorry farm is a sorry sight." Bill hardly attained that level of sorriness.
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